ATLANTA -- Glynn county voters could soon vote on how members of the joint, city-county water and sewer board are picked under legislation introduced Monday.

The bill would also require greater notice for proposed rate increased in the newspaper and in monthly statements. Anyone wanting to comment would have two public hearings before a rate hike, one on the mainland and one on St. Simons Island.

The local delegation to the House of Representatives introduced House Bill 1271 to overhaul the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission. The bill gives voters three choices: leave the board as it is, have the grand jury select five citizens or have the grand jury select three citizens with the public voting for two.

In either option, one city commissioner and one county commissioner would serve on the seven-member board.

Three of the citizen members would be experts in financial or engineering matters who applied for the posts under the bill, and the other two would represent users.

“I wanted a consumer voice,” said Rep. Alex Atwood, R-Brunswick. “I wanted people to have confidence in their government.”

Local officials had wanted the changes to take effect as soon as the governor signed the bill into law, but Atwood said he insisted on a referendum. The voters were asked to create the joint commission, he said, and they should be asked if they want to change it.

Public discontent over rising water and sewer rates and questions about the commission’s finances led him to push for a referendum and the election option, he said.

“We wanted a truly independent body,” he said.

The commission will have to submit to audits every four years under the bill. It would also institute a $500 monthly payment to all of the board members except the city and county commissioners who are already paid for their service. The five members getting paid could also get reimbursed for expenses.